MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) signed a memorandum of understanding on Jan. 13 with its five dealers namely Union Motor Corp., Fast Autoworld Philippines Corp., Motorplaza Inc., SFM Sales Corp. and Mindanao Integrated Commercial Enterprises Inc. under the witness of Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (MMC). This partnership aims to roll out a next-generation Showroom-Dendo Drive Station in the Philippines.
The Dendo Drive Station features solar power system and vehicle to home (V2H) equipment. This system allows to charge electric vehicles (Evs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) at the showrooms as well as to supply electricity from EVs/PHEVs back to the showrooms. Since MMC opened the first one in Tokyo in 2016, it has opened 79 Dendo Drive Station showrooms throughout Japan.
With MMC’s support, MMPC aims to open Dendo Drive Stations in five regions in the Philippines and introduce the Outlander PHEV, MMC’s flagship PHEV SUV to the Philippines by the end of 2020. It aims to promote better understanding of EVs/PHEVs in the country and support the development of the country’s automotive industry and the local economy.
“Similar to Japan, the Philippines is a country that often experiences many natural disasters,” said Osamu Masuko, MMC’s chairman of the board. “I believe with the technology of the Dendo Drive Station, communities will be provided with a dependable self-sustaining power source that does not only generate efficient energy supply but also serves as a reliable electrical source during emergency power shortage.”
Powers buildings
Dendo Drive Station (DDS) is an outlet focusing on EV/PHEV where you can experience a variety of energy sources and the value of the vehicles’ power feeding functions. The station is equipped with solar panels, bi-directional chargers, storage batteries and inverters which together enable charging of power to EV/PHEV by solar power generation and the feeding of power to the outlet by EV/PHEV. DDS can offer cleaner electric vehicle charging, help stabilize the local electricity supply grid and even provide electricity after a natural disaster or power outage.
In addition to charging vehicles, DDS allows the EV/PHEV’s battery to provide power to the building in times of high demand or an emergency. The building will then switch to charging the car at times of low grid demand, or when renewable energy production is at a peak. This has major benefits for the grid and provides cheaper, sustainable power for the EV/PHEV owner.
DDS also contribute to the local community through the disaster prevention awareness activities at dealerships. In addition to normal showroom features, the DDS features a presentation and demonstration area where people can experience EV/PHEV.
The Outlander PHEV represents the accumulation of Mitsubishi Motors’ decades of engineering breakthroughs, including four-wheel drive (4WD) in 1936, electric powertrains in 1966 and rugged SUVs during the 1980s. The vehicle offers a combination of low environmental impact, Super-All Wheel Control active safety, proven reliability and low operating costs.
Since its official global launch in 2013, the Outlander PHEV has been rolled out to more than 50 countries, with global sales reaching more than 200,000 units. The company’s flagship plug-in hybrid has become the world’s best-selling PHEV and Europe’s best-selling PHEV for four years in a row from 2015 to 2018.
Outlander PHEV has a unique architecture consisting of a front and rear electric motor with no gearbox. This translates into benefits for drivers that include significantly reduced weight for greater fuel efficiency, a simpler vehicle layout and smoother driving. As a result, the Outlander PHEV is able to cover long distances with reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, even when fully loaded.
Alongside its environmental performance, the Outlander PHEV provides a safe driving experience, and has achieved a maximum five-star rating from Asean NCAP (New Car Assessment Program). The SUV comes equipped with seven airbags together with an Anti-lock Braking System, Blind Spot Warning and other safety technologies, scoring a total of 87.61 out of 100 points between the Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection and Safety Assist Technologies tests.
Its many reliable, innovative features also make it possible to utilize its batteries in multiple ways in addition to driving. Users can supply electricity stored in the Outlander PHEV to power their homes (V2H) and where power systems allow, stored energy can be provided back to the grid (V2G). It can also be used to provide emergency power, and during the 2016 Kumamoto and 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquakes, Mitsubishi Motors’ groundbreaking SUV was able to operate as a mobile source of electricity to assist the community. (PR)